• Check batch consistency (QA via QIS*)
• Provide inter batch comparisons (Batch QIS*)
• Also has a limited identification mode for unknown materials

*QIS is a Quality Index Score

All modes require sample to be tested as below;

TESTING

There are two stages to running the sample;

1. The Moulding stage
2. The Testing stage

Both are conducted sequentially by the software

The sample after moulding in the left hand position is moved to the right hand testing position. See images below;

Hardware
Software

All operations are controlled by the PC loaded with the identiPol software
To conduct a QA test, the operator simply clicks the “Test a sample” box in the software.

This will then take you to a dialogue box and ask if you wish to test a sample as tested previously or to choose alternative material/batches. These can be added as required, either by the operator or by a manager.
Note that permissions can be set elsewhere by the manager to allow access to various functions or not as required by in house security/operating procedures.

Typical QIS results from a sample
Note that all samples that are required as reference material are circled with green as shown here. They will be placed between a threshold of 6 and above to a maximum of 10. Any sample tested with a score above 6 is acceptable (i.e. similar to the Reference set) . This will normally be added to the reference set unless the operator decides otherwise, up to a usual maximum in the reference set of 50 samples. All these values are optional and selectable by the manager/supervisor.

Any sample below a value of 6 is not acceptable. The usual practice would be to repeat the same material a second time. If it still scores low, further investigation is required and the material should be isolated.

Typical Batch Summary Report
Advanced QIS Report
QIS Score of zero for contaminated sample
Inter batch QA and effect of reference set members

Example - Recycled Extrusion Grade HDPE
Each different colour in the above represents a different batch delivered to the site. Note the outliers (reference material falling below a score of 6) have been manually added to the reference as shown below as all this material was proving to be acceptable to the customer. In the above example, outside the red box are fresh batches of material delivered from an alternative source. These are all clearly ‘unacceptable’ if the original reference set is deemed to be definitive for this production. However, this was a set up stage in the factories QA system and the new source material was deemed to be OK. As a result, it was decided to extend the reference set and recalculate the QIS scores.

The effect of this action is shown here;
The effect of this was to bring all the subsequent batches into the acceptable range.

A decision was taken to extend the reference set further and all the batches to date added to the reference set. Again the data is all recalculated and the effect can be seen below;
To conduct an Identification test, the operator simply clicks the Test a sample box in the software. If the material is completely unknown, select the medium temperature range test. The procedure then for testing a sample is exactly the same as the QA tests outlined previously.
At the end of the test click ‘identification details’ and then click ‘Match Parameters’ box.
Possible matches are then shown.
It is possible to explore this a little further by clicking the ‘Comparison plot’ box in the right hand lower corner of the above screen.

The following is then displayed showing the real data obtained and how it compares to reference parameter ranges.